Local entrepreneurs heard from Manitobans

Hard working, inspirational and driven for success is what leads three entrepreneurs to the doorstep of the University of Manitoba’s Consumer Monitor Food Panel. The 2016 Emerging Innovator Award was presented to Natalie Dueck owner of Rawnata Snack Bars, Galina Beilis owner of Dairy Fairy and Anan Palanichamy owner of Dr. Beetroot ketchup. These products won based on taste, creativity, packaging and more. The winners received the opportunity to work with the study’s principal investigators Dr. Tammara Feltham and Dr. Gustaaf Sevenhuysen on a customized survey written to best serve their growing businesses. Manitoba Consumer Monitor Food Panel (MCM Food Panel) sent their panel of 2500 Manitobans a survey to learn a bit more about what our home market is looking for in food products in these three diverse areas; hemp snack bars, dairy yogurt in Ryazenka style and a local beetroot ketchup condiment.

Manitoba Consumer Monitor Food Panel (MCM Food Panel) sent their panel of 2500 Manitobans a survey to learn a bit more about what our home market is looking for in food products in these three diverse areas; hemp snack bars, dairy yogurt in Ryazenka style and a local beetroot ketchup condiment.

Rawnata is a snack food company that focuses on local organic hemp seed as the number one ingredient. The hemp snacker bars are high in protein, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, antioxidants and more. Rawnata produces products that are 100% Canadian and was awarded first place in MCM Food Panel’s Emerging Innovator Award. Our panel expressed the importance they valued in individually wrapped snack bars and that they were most likely to buy these for a road trip, adult lunches and for fueling outdoor activities. Manitobans like convenient products that can nutritionally energize their active lifestyles.

Dairy Fairy is natural “Ryazhenka” country style dairy yogurt. Using local Manitoba cow’s milk, this natural product couldn’t feel closer to home. Dairy Fairy’s yogurt was awarded the second prize and part of the survey questions sent to the panel. Results informed the study that the panel is most likely to purchase yogurt products that are packaged using a pull away foil or plastic liner, that offering a variety of flavours and that listing nutritional benefits on the packaging is extremely important to consumers on the panel. Panelists were extremely likely to make a purchase decision of yogurt with no artificial colouring, flavouring or no added preservatives. These results enforce that Manitobans want choice and quality in products that enter their households.

Dr. Beetroot ketchup is a tangy and sweet condiment that is made using all natural ingredients, bolstering itself as healthy ketchup. This product is high in folate and a source of vitamin C and potassium. The majority of panelists consumed beets not much more than twice per month. The majority of Manitobans on the panel were willing to purchase the product as an opportunity to taste it, as another condiment option in their fridge and because it is a locally produced product. Potential questions on expanding the beet ketchup’s flavour options were asked. Panelists chose ‘sweet onion beet ketchup’ as a flavour they would most likely purchase. The panel is adventurous and willing to give new products a chance in the market place.

These delicious new local products are available on store shelves and will be making their way back to farmers markets all summer. The MCM Food Panel examines consumer behaviour toward food choice, perceptions of choice in the market place, and opinions in choosing products for their households. Join our panel and your voice on food topics can make a change in this province. www.mcmfoodpanel.ca

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The Manitoba Consumer Monitor Food Panel is a University of Manitoba project. Funding is provided by the Canada and Manitoba governments through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.